Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses a method for containing spills on shelving and the like, and the resulting support members made in accordance with the method, by providing the generally flat top surface of a support with a hydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern and which is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support. The majority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spill containment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which are bounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the shelving collect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and are prevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/463,469,filed Aug. 19, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/891,954, filed May 10, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/651,842 , filed Oct. 15, 2012, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/562,920, filed Sep.18, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of International PatentApplication No. PCT/US09/48775, filed Jun. 26, 2009, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/216,540, filedMay 18, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/133,273,filed Jun. 27, 2008. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/651,842 is alsoa continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/000,487, which is a U.S. national stage application of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/US09/48775, filed Jun. 26, 2009, which asdescribed above claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/216,540, filed May 18, 2009, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/133,273, filed Jun. 27, 2008. The entire contents ofeach of the foregoing applications is expressly incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to shelving and the like, e.g., countertops andtable tops, including shelving which may be adapted for use withrefrigerators. More particularly, the invention relates to the supportsurfaces of such articles which have spill containing features.

BACKGROUND ART

Previous types of shelving have been developed for use as refrigeratorand other shelves. Shelving designs exist in the prior art which includemeans for containing liquid spills and leaks from a container stored ona shelf, and preventing the spill from dripping from the shelf onto thefloor or into other parts of a refrigerator, commonly referred to as“spill proof” shelving. For example, Kane, et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,564,809, issued Oct. 14, 1996, discloses a shelf assembly with a shelfpanel, a shelf support supporting the panel, and a molded one-piecemember encapsulating the edge of the shelf panel and a substantialmajority of the shelf support.

Herrmann, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,589, issued Apr. 7, 1998,discloses a shelf panel for a refrigerator compartment, which includes ashelf panel that is slidably supported for extension and retraction on asupport, and which includes slide members that are preferably molded soas to form a rim on the top support surface of the shelf panel tocontain liquids.

Bird, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,433, issued Jul. 4, 1995, alsodescribes a refrigerator shelf which is adapted for containment ofspills on the shelf. The shelf includes a planar shelf with a rim moldedaround the perimeter edge of the shelf. The rim projects above the topsurface of the shelf to form a dam for containing liquid spills on theshelf.

Meier, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,720, issued Sep. 19, 2000, disclosesa method of manufacturing a glass shelf with a plastic edge forretaining spills on the shelf. The glass shelf panel is placed in acavity of a mold and plastic material is injected into the cavitysurrounding the glass shelf panel such that a plastic edging is formedaround the perimeter of the glass shelf panel.

Additional techniques for containing spills in refrigerator shelvinginclude the use of injection molded plastic, so as to encapsulate asupport plate forming the shelf, using plastic molded parts toessentially “sandwich” a support plate between the parts, or using asilicone sealant or various other types of adhesives to form physicalspill containment barriers around the perimeter of the refrigeratorshelving. In addition to the foregoing, it is known to utilize formedlips or ridges on the surface of the support plate itself, so as toessentially provide a physical barrier as a liquid retention feature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method for containing spills on shelving andthe like having a support top surface, and the resulting items made inaccordance with the method, by providing the support top surface with ahydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern andwhich is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support. Themajority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spillcontainment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which arebounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the surfacecollect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and areprevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the Descriptionof the Preferred Embodiments, and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art shelf assembly mounted on apair of support brackets, and utilizing the concept of encapsulation ofa shelf for providing spill containment features;

FIG. 2 is a front, sectional view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 1,with the absence of the support brackets;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention including a shelf mounted on apair of support brackets, the shelf including a hydrophobic spillcontainment pattern disposed on the top surface thereof to containspilled liquids;

FIG. 4 is a front, elevation view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 3,with the absence of the support brackets;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shelfassembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure andhaving a grid-like hydrophobic spill containment pattern;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment shelfassembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure andhaving a hydrophobic spill containment pattern that includes first andsecond borders;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a shelf assembly includingsupport brackets constructed in accordance with a first embodiment thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 7 takenthrough line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a shelf assembly includingsupport brackets constructed in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 9 takenthrough line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly including supportbrackets constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 11 takenthrough line XI-XI of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a shelf assembly including support bracketsconstructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 13 takenthrough line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly including supportbrackets constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a support bracket of the shelf assemblyof FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 15 takenthrough line XVII-XVII of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a shelf assemblyincluding support brackets constructed in accordance with a sixthembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a top view of a shelf assembly including front and rear trimcomponents in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a detail view of the front trim component of the shelfassembly of FIGS. 19 and 20 taken from circle XXI of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a detail view of the rear trim component of the shelfassembly of FIGS. 19 and 20 taken from circle XXII of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a detail view of front portion of a shelf assembly includinga front trim component in accordance with an eighth embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a graph showing the water height retention test results afterabrasion with a glass jar for three shelves formed in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a graph showing the water height retention test results afterperforming a cleaning process on three shelves formed in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 26A and 26B are photographs demonstrating the stain resistantproperties of a shelf having a hydrophobic spill containment patternformed of a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the preferred embodiments, the term “shelving and/or the like,”“shelving,” “shelf,” or “shelf and/or the like” encompasses shelves andarticles whose top surfaces such as pantry shelves, countertops,stovetops, cook-tops, and table tops. Certain embodiments are especiallyadvantageous for use in refrigerator and freezer shelving.

In such preferred embodiments of the invention, refrigerator shelving isprovided with a spill containment pattern which may consist of ahydrophobic surface in the pattern of a frame-like border, which definesthe boundaries of a single non-hydrophobic spill containment areatherein. The pattern may be a frame-like border which extends along theperimeter of the shelf's top surface (FIG. 3), or it may be spaced fromthe perimeter and encompass a smaller portion of the top surface, andmay include an outer border with a final spill catch area between theinner and outer border (FIG. 6). It may consist of a hydrophobic surfacein a grid-like pattern, which pattern defines the boundaries of severalspill containment areas therein (FIG. 5). Other variations are intendedto be within the scope of the present disclosure.

A preferred embodiment shelf may be incorporated into a shelvingassembly with a shelf-supporting mechanism, such as a bracket, and ashelf, which is capable of supporting articles on its top surface. Thedisclosure provided herein relates to the shelf portion of the assembly,and various brackets that can be used with the shelf.

The shelf may consist of a substrate formed of metal, glass, plastic,another suitable material, or a combination of any of the foregoing, andwhich has a hydrophobic surface which is generally in the same plane asthe top surface of the shelf substrate and which is arranged in a spillcontainment pattern to provide a spill containment feature on the topsurface of the shelf substrate, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 anddescribed below. The majority of the surface area of the top surface ofthe shelf substrate is non-hydrophobic in nature. The non-hydrophobicregion of the top surface is bounded by the hydrophobic spillcontainment pattern such that spilled liquids are repelled by thehydrophobic spill containment pattern and pool and remain contained onthese non-hydrophobic spill containing areas by the hydrophobicsurfaces. The shelves described herein can be adapted for use asrefrigerator or freezer shelves, for example.

A hydrophobic or super hydrophobic surface treatment may be applied tothe shelf substrate's top surface to create the hydrophobic spillcontainment pattern described herein in a variety of methods, and anysurface coatings may be used which are known to be hydrophobic orsuper-hydrophobic or are known to make a surface hydrophobic orsuper-hydrophobic. The hydrophobic surface described herein is notlimited to any specific hydrophobic or super hydrophobic surfacetreatment, and any method of making a portion of the surface of theshelf substrate hydrophobic may be employed.

More specifically, according to the preferred embodiments, there areseveral hydrophobic compounds which may be used. Some of the hydrophobiccompounds include: fluorocarbons; fluoroalkyl silanes; fluoroalkoxysilanes; and fluoroalkyl alkyl silanes. Any such hydrophobic compoundsor a mixture thereof can be used to create the hydrophobic surfacesdescribed herein, and other applicable hydrophobic compounds could alsobe used. It is believed that tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyltrichlorosilane provides a good example of a suitable hydrophobiccompound. Other suitable hydrophobic compounds include, for example,nonafluorohexyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane,heptadecafluorotetrahydrodecyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane,tetrandyrodecyl- tris(dimethylamino)silane,tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2,-tetrahydrooctyl silane,(tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydooctyl)trimethoxysilane,(tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydooctyl)triethoxysilane, n-octadecyltrimethoxysilane, n-octyl triethoxysilane, andheptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahedyodecyl-tris(dimethylamino)silane. It isbelieved that the above-identified silanes bond and adhere strongly toglass and glass-like surfaces such as the cured ceramic frit material.

Further in accordance with the preferred embodiments described herein,methods of creating the hydrophobic surface may include, withoutlimitation: application of a hydrophobic compound to the top surfaceusing an application technique such as spraying; brushing; wiping;dipping; solvent casting; flow coating; curtain coating; roller coating;spin coating; printing; screen printing; ink jet printing; vacuumcoating; magnetic field-assisted cathodic sputtering; plasma deposition;plasma magnetron deposition; plasma or atmospheric CVD; powder or liquidpyrolysis; atomization or chemical vapor deposition; electrophoreticdeposition; cross-linking processes; etc. Another method of creating thehydrophobic surface can include “roughening” the portion of the surfaceof the substrate to be made hydrophobic using various methods (sanding,abrading, etching, e.g., acid etching, or otherwise removing materialfrom the surface) and then applying a hydrophobic compound to the“roughened” surface. Etching can be performed using, for example,hydrofluoric acid, sodium silicate, bifluorides, including for example,a ammonium bifluoride sodium bifluoride, and mixtures thereof, any otherknown etching solutions, and any mixtures thereof. Commerciallyavailable etching solutions are available, for example from Armour®Products (Hawthorne, N.J.). For examples, the Armour Etch Bath® GlassDipping Solution (product name) or Armour Etch® Glass Etching Cream(product name), available from Armour® Products can be used, andincludes a mixture of ammonium bifluoride and sodium bifluoride. Theetching solution can be applied to the substrate surface with anapplicator in the desired pattern. A mask, which is resistant to theetching solution, can be placed on the region of the substrate to benon-hydrophobic to protect this region from being etched. The etchingsolution can be allowed to remain on the substrate surface for a time ina range of about 15 seconds to about 20 minutes, about 20 seconds toabout 15 minutes, about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes, about 45 secondsto about 8 minutes, about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, about 2 minutesto about 8 minutes, about 4 minutes to about 6 minutes, about 15 secondsto about 1 minute, about 20 seconds to about 50 seconds, about 25seconds to about 45 seconds, about 30 seconds to about 40 seconds, about1 minute to about 20 minutes, about 5 to about 15 minutes, or about 7minutes to about 10 minutes. Other suitable times include, for example,about 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, 35 seconds, 40seconds, 45 seconds, 50 seconds, 55 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 9minutes, 10 minutes, 11 minutes, 12 minutes, 13 minutes, 14 minutes, 15minutes, 16 minutes, 17 minutes, 18 minutes, 19 minutes, and 20 minutes.

The hydrophobic surface can also be formed, for example, by providing acoating of hydrophobic particles on the surface, by using sol-geldeposition to apply a hydrophobic compound to the surface, either on topof or within the matrix of the sol-gel, by applying a metal oxide primerwith an integrated or separate hydrophobic compound, by applying ahydrophobic compound comprising a variety of molecular chain lengths tocreate a coating with surface irregularities, or by adhering a thinmaterial, such as a tape of thin glass or plastic which has been madehydrophobic to the surface. The hydrophobic surface can formed, forexample, by applying a ceramic frit material, with or without structureforming particles therein, to the surface of the substrate in thedesired spill containment pattern, curing the frit, and then applying ahydrophobic compound over the cured frit and curing the hydrophobiccompound.

Any combination of the above-described surface treatment methods can bealso be used. For example, the substrate can be first prepared byapplying and curing a ceramic frit material to the substrate. Theceramic frit material can then be etched using an etching solution asdescribed above, and a hydrophobic compound can be applied to the etchedceramic frit. Alternatively, the entire substrate including the ceramicfrit material can be etched using an etching solution, and a hydrophobiccompound can then be applied to the etched ceramic frit. Withoutintending to be bound by theory, it is believed that etching the ceramicfrit prior to application of the hydrophobic compound can improve thehydrophobic properties of the spill containment pattern by creatingadditional bonding sites on the ceramic frit to which the hydrophobiccompound can bond. Additionally, the etched ceramic frit may includemore surface area to which the hydrophobic compound can attached byvirtue of the combined macro-scale surface roughening provided by theceramic frit and micro-scale surface roughening provided by etching theceramic frit.

The hydrophobic surface treatments described herein can be curedaccording to a number of different methods, if curing is required by thesurface preparation or the hydrophobic compound, including withoutlimitation: conduction heating; convection heating; UV radiation; VUVradiation; electron beam irradiation; ionizing radiation; laser; IR; andthermal radiation. The hydrophobic surface treatments can also be curedby remaining at ambient conditions for a sufficient length of time, forexample, from about 16 hours to about 48 hours, from about 20 hours toabout 40 hours, and from about 25 hours to about 35 hours. Curing can beperformed in a controlled humidity environment. For example, curing canbe performed at less than 70% humidity, less than 60% humidity, lessthan 50% humidity, less than 40% humidity, less than 30% humidity, lessthan 20% humidity, less than 10% humidity, or at 0% humidity.

One preferred embodiment of the shelf assembly comprises a glass ortempered glass shelf substrate which is printed, e.g., screen printed,with a ceramic frit material, over which a hydrophobic coating isapplied. The ceramic frit can be patterned on the substrate using anyknown placing, printing, or other patterning methods. The ceramic fritmaterial is placed or printed in a pattern, for example, a frame-likeborder pattern on the glass substrate, which defines at least a portionof the spill containment pattern. For example, the ceramic frit materialcan be screen printed onto the substrate in the desired pattern using,for example, a silk screen having a mesh count in a range of about 80 toabout 360, about 100 to about 300, about 120 to about 280, about 140 toabout 240, about 160 to about 220, about 180 to about 200, about 86 toabout 360. Other suitable mesh counts include about 80, 82, 84, 86, 88,90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190,200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 340,350, and 360. Various other mesh counts may be suitable depending on thecomposition and particle size of the frit material used. As described inmore detail below, the hydrophobic spill containment pattern, andconsequently, the frit pattern, can have a variety of shapes and sizes,and can be placed in a variety of locations on the glass substrate.Additionally, portions of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern canbe formed, for example, using different hydrophobic compounds and/ordifferent surface treatments. For example, a portion of the spillcontainment pattern can be formed, for example, by applying and curing aceramic frit to the substrate and applying a hydrophobic compound to thecured ceramic frit (as described in more detail below) and anotherportion of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern can be formed, forexample, by acid etching a portion of the substrate and applying thehydrophobic compound to the etched portion.

In accordance with various aspects of the invention, the ceramic fritmaterial can include finely ground particles. For example, the ceramicfrit material can include lead oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide,and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the frit material includes silicondioxide. More preferably, the frit material includes from 5 weightpercent (wt. %) to about 100 wt. % silicon dioxide, from about 10 wt. %to about 80 wt. %, from about 20 wt. % to about 60 wt. % from about 30wt. % to about 40 wt. % from about 15 wt. % to about 75 wt. %, fromabout 20 wt. % to about 50 wt. %. Other suitable amounts of silicondioxide in the frit material can include, for example, 5, 10, 15, 20,25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 wt.%. For example, the frit material can include about 29 wt. % silicondioxide. The frit material can also include, for example, additives,such as tantalum oxide, titanium dioxide, calcium oxide, zirconiumoxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxides, iron oxide magnesium oxide,barium oxide, bismuth oxide, and mixtures thereof. Suitable commerciallyavailable frit materials can be used. For example, a commerciallyavailable frit material is available from Ferro Corp. (hereinafter “theFerro frit”) under Product No. A0430 Etch C32 Medium, and contains about53.71 wt. % lead oxide, about 29 wt. % silicon dioxide, 15.72 wt. %aluminum oxide, 0.39 wt. % tantalum oxide, 0.38 wt. % titanium dioxide,0.28 wt. % calcium oxide, 0.26 wt. % zirconium oxide, 0.11 wt. % sodiumoxide, 0.04 wt. % potassium oxide, 0.04 wt. % iron oxide, 0.03 wt. %magnesium oxide, 0.02 wt. % barium oxide, and 0.02 wt. % bismuth oxide.The particles of the frit material may be mixed with inorganic ororganic pigments or dyes, so as to yield a desired color. The ceramicfrit material may be provided as a dry powder or as a paste or othersuch mixture. Once the ceramic frit material is placed on the substrate,the ceramic frit is then coupled to the substrate. For example, theceramic frit can be coupled to the substrate by fusing the ceramic fritto the substrate. The ceramic frit can be coupled or fused to substrateby heating the substrate to a temperature in a range of about 1000° F.to about 1400° F., about 1100° F. to about 1300° F., about 1100° F. toabout 1200° F., and about 1200° F. to about 1400° F. Other suitabletemperatures include about 1000° F., 1050° F., 1100° F., 1150° F., 1200°F., 1250° F., 1300° F., 1350° F., and 1400° F. This heat treatment willcause the particles of the ceramic frit to cure by fusing to each otherand to the glass surface to form a continuous structure and therebycouple the ceramic frit to the substrate. The pattern of the fused fritwill be substantially identical to the pattern in which the fritmaterial was placed on the substrate. It is believed that this fusedfrit coating can be characterized as being nearly as hard and tough asthe glass itself. Also, the coated glass with the ceramic frit materialis durable, and resists chipping, peeling, fading, and scratching.Advantageously, the ceramic frit material is resistant to abrasions fromcommon household containers, such as, for example, glass jars. Inaddition, the ceramic frit material is substantially resistant to mostchemicals. Accordingly, the ceramic frit material is substantiallyresistant to a variety of cleaners that may be used to clean a glassshelf, including, for example, dish soap, such as Dawn dish soap,Windex, Sparkle, Clorox wipes, and Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner. Ashelf having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed from aceramic frit can resist multiple cleanings without experiencing adecrease in the shelf's ability to retain spilled liquids.

In one embodiment, the ceramic frit can include some micro-scaleadditive particles which will remain unmelted at the temperature atwhich the frit is sintered, as described for example in U.S. Pat. No.4,591,530 to Lui, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,872,441 and 6,800,354 to Baumann, andU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,324,566 and 5,437,894 to Ogawa. The frit is printed orplaced in the pattern of a frame-like border at or near the outerperimeter of the shelf substrate's top surface or other desired locationfor the spill containment pattern. The shelf with the printed frit isthen heated to a temperature above the melting point of the primarycomponents of the frit material, but below the melting point of theglass shelf, for a time sufficient to cure the frit so that it is fusedor bonded to the top surface of the shelf substrate. The specific timeand temperature required to sinter the frit will vary based on thematerials chosen for the frit.

By way of example only, the application of the hydrophobic compound willbe described with reference to a glass substrate having a fused fritsurface modification. Other surface modifications and/or preparations,including for example, acid etching and other surface rougheningmethods, can be used as described above, and the hydrophobic compoundcan be similarly applied to such surface modified substrates. Thehydrophobic compound, such as, for example, a fluorocarbon, afluoroalkyl silane, a fluoroalkoxy silane, or a fluoroalkyl alkyl silaneis then applied to the fused frit material. Suitable hydrophobiccompounds can include, for example,tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane,nonafluorohexyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane,heptadecafluorotetrahydrodecyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane,tetrandyrodecyl-tris(dimethylamino)silane,tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2,-tetrahydrooctyl silane,(tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydooctyl)trimethoxysilane,(tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydooctyl)triethoxysilane, n-octadecyltrimethoxysilane, n-octyl triethoxysilane, andheptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahedyodecyl-tris(dimethylamino)silane.

The hydrophobic compound can be applied to the frit material as ahydrophobic solution, which includes a solvent and the hydrophobiccompound dissolved or dispersed in the solvent. The solvent can be, forexample, dry or wet hexane. Suitable solvents include, for example,hexane, heptanes, methyl chloride, naptha, toluene, acetone,perfluorocarbons, and mixtures thereof. The hydrophobic solution caninclude from about 0.1% to about 5% of hydrophobic compound. Othersuitable ranges include, for example, about 0.5% to 4%, about 1% toabout 3%, about 1% to about 5%, and about 2% to about 4%. Suitableamounts of the hydrophobic compound in the hydrophobic solution, caninclude, for example, about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9,1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5%. For example, a 1% solution oftridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane, a perfluoroalkylalkyl silane, in hexane, can be applied to the fused frit, for exampleby wiping the solution onto the frit or applying the solution using anapplicator tip, or by using any other known method. The hydrophobiccompound can be applied to the solution using, for example, a one passmethod in which a coated applicator is swept across the frit border asingle time or a multiple pass method in which the applicator is passedover the frit border two or more times. The hydrophobic solution is thencured by heating it and/or exposing it to controlled humidity for aperiod of time. For example, conductive heating, convention heating,thermal radiation, UV radiation, VUV radiation, electron beamirradiation, ionizing radiation, laser, IR can be used to cure thehydrophobic solution. The hydrophobic solution can be cured, forexample, at a temperature in a range of about 100° F. to about 600° F.,about 150° F. to about 550° F., about 200° F. to about 500° F., about250° F. to about 450° F., about 300° F. to about 350° F., or about 100°F. to about 300° F. Other suitable temperatures include, for example,about 100° F., 150° F., 200° F., 250° F., 300° F., 350° F., 400° F.,450° F., 500° F., 550° F., and 600° F. The hydrophobic solution can becured, for example, by heating for a time in a range of about 5 minutesto about 1 hour, about 10 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 20 minutesto about 30 minutes, about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, and about 15minutes to about 30 minutes. Other suitable times include, for example,about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 minutes.Alternatively, the hydrophobic solution can be cured without heating.Heating, however, can accelerate the curing process. For example, thehydrophobic solution can be allowed to cure by leaving the glasssubstrate having the cured ceramic frit coated with the hydrophobicsolution in ambient conditions for a time in a range of about 16 toabout 48 hours, about 20 to about 40 hours, about 25 to about 35 hours,about 16 to about 24 hours, or about 20 hours to about 30 hours. Thehydrophobic solution can be cured, whether at elevated temperatures orat ambient temperature, in relatively dry environment. For example, thehydrophobic solution can be cured in an environment having less than 70%humidity, less than 60% humidity, less than 50% humidity, less than 40%humidity, less than 30% humidity, less than 20% humidity, less than 10%humidity, or at 0% humidity. Upon curing, the hydrophobic compoundpreferably forms a continuous hydrophobic layer on the fused frit orother surface treatment.

Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that in the caseof a fluorosilane, bonding is achieved between surface Si—OH containedon and extending from the surface of the fused frit material or othermodified substrate surface, such as, for example, an acid etchedsurface, and the Si—OH groups of the silane. The surface hydroxyl groupscan results from partial hydrolysis of the silane and the silicondioxide in the fused frit material during heating. The Si—OH groups arecaused to react with corresponding groups to form Si—O—Si linkagesbetween the silane and the fused frit material. Correspondingly, Si—OHgroups of adjacent silane molecules are also caused to react and formSi—O—Si cross linkages, thereby forming a continuous hydrophobic layeracross the frit material. The method described herein will produce ahydrophobic surface that is a continuous border around the perimeter ofthe shelf's top surface which will operate as a spill containmentfeature.

One advantage of using a ceramic frit material to prepare the surface ofthe shelf for coating with the hydrophobic solution as described herein,in addition to improving the durability of the hydrophobic surface, isthat frit material is commercially available in multiple colors and canbe printed in a manner which allows for the inclusion of designs,company names or logos in the surface area where the frit material isapplied to the shelf substrate.

In accordance with the preferred embodiments, the hydrophobic surfaceprovides a spill containment surface which prevents spilled liquids fromleaking off of the shelf substrate's top surface. For example, a fritmaterial can be placed or printed in a continuous border pattern aroundthe perimeter of the glass substrate and fused to the glass substrate asdescribed above. A hydrophobic compound can then be bonded to the fusedfrit material, and thereby form a hydrophobic spill containment pattern,which bounds a non-hydrophobic spill containment surface formed of theglass substrate. The hydrophobic spill containment pattern repelsliquids, causing them to collect in the non-hydrophobic region orregions of the shelf. The hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic surface issufficient to repel a spilled liquid and prevent it from crossing ontoor over the hydrophobic surface and therefore forces the spilled liquidto bead up or puddle up on the non-hydrophobic regions of the shelf dueto the surface tension of the liquid. Thus, the hydrophobic surface iscapable of containing spills without the use of a barrier lip or barrieredging used in prior art spill containment assemblies which act as a“dam” for the spilled liquid. The hydrophobic spill containment patterncan retain a spill having a height when pooled in the non-hydrophobicregion of less than about 5.5 mm. For example, the spill containmentpattern can retain a spill having a height of about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm,about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5 mm, about4 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5mm, or about 5.5 mm. The height of the spillliquid provides a measure of the amount of spilled liquid retained by ashelf regardless of the area of the non-hydrophobic spill containingregion of the shelf. The height of the retained spill liquid isdetermined by dividing the volume of spill liquid retained by the shelfbefore failure (i.e. leakage) by the area of the non-hydrophobic spillcontaining region.

The reference to the fact that the hydrophobic surface is generally inthe plane of the top surface of the shelf is intended to includesurfaces and surface treatments, all or a portion of which may extend asmall distance above the level of the top surface of the shelf which isnot readily noticeable to the naked eye. For example, as described ingreater detail above, the hydrophobic surface may be a hydrophobiccoating, or a combination of a layer of ceramic frit and a hydrophobiccoating on the ceramic frit. Such layers typically have a thickness offrom about 0.001 microns to about 250 microns. Other suitable thicknessranges include from about 0.001 microns to about 2 microns, about 0.01microns to about 1.5 microns, about 0.1 microns to about 1 microns,about 0.001 microns to about 10 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 8microns, about 0.05 microns to about 7 microns, about 0.1 microns toabout 5 microns, about 1 micron to about 4 microns, about 1 micron toabout 10 microns, about 2 microns to about 8 microns, about 4 microns toabout 6 microns, about 10 microns to about 100 microns, about 20 micronsto about 80 microns, about 40 microns to about 60 microns, about 100microns to about 250 microns, about 150 to about 200 microns, about 1micron to about 250 microns, about 10 microns to about 200 microns,about 20 microns to about 150 microns, about 30 microns to about 100microns, about 40 microns to about 80 microns, and about 50 microns toabout 70 microns. Other suitable thickness include, for example, about0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60,70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210,220, 230, 240, and 250 microns.

A visual perspective of situations involving liquid spillage isillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate a prior art shelvingassembly 1000. With reference to FIG. 1, the assembly 1000 is shown infairly simplistic format. The assembly 1000 may include a number ofother components, including elements such as shelf support brackets, forexample. Specifically, the assembly 1000 includes a frame 1002 which isrectangular in configuration and surrounds and is secured to an innerplastic rim 1004. The plastic rim 1004 is also a rectangularconfiguration. The plastic rim 1004 is utilized to encapsulate a shelfpanel 1006. The shelf panel 1006 could be constructed of glass orsimilar materials. The frame 1002, plastic rim 1004 and shelf panel 1006are supported on a pair of opposing side plates 1008.

To illustrate the concepts of liquid spillage, a soda can 1010 isillustrated as being left on its side on the upper surface of the shelfpanel 1006. The soda can 1010 has spilled liquid which is shown asliquid 1012 on a portion of the shelf panel 1006. The visible edge ofthe shelf panel 1006 located on its upper surface at the intersection ofthe perimeter of the plastic rim 1004 may include a sealed edge 1014. Aspreviously described herein, the sealed edge 1014 may merely includesome type of a sealing adhesive or, alternatively, a silicone materialor the like. In this manner, an attempt is made to essentially provide araised physical barrier that is sealed to the shelf panel 1006 to sealthe spilled liquid 1012 from spillage off of the shelf panel 1006.

A preferred embodiment shelf assembly 1020 of the present disclosure isillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In accordance with the preferredembodiments described herein, the shelf assembly 1020 is characterizedas having a shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface 1030 (shownshaded) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern 1021 on atop surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 to provide the spillcontainment functions. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the spill containment pattern1021 of the hydrophobic surface 1030 consists of a frame-like borderdisposed at or around the outer perimeter of the top surface 1023 of theshelf panel 1024, thereby completely bounding, encircling, and/orenclosing a non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 of the shelf panel1024. More specifically, the spill containment pattern 1021 of theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a continuous patternformed of parallel left and right side edge containment strips 1021 a,1021 b, and parallel front and rear edge containment strips 1021 c, 1021d, i.e., all respectively engaged to adjacent ones. Each of the edgecontainment strips 1021 a-1021 d are generally uniform in width andarranged in an elongated linear configuration at a location directly ata respective edge of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is no non-hydrophobic area on the topsurface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 between the spill containmentpattern 1021 and the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024. Inalternative embodiments, however, at least one of the strips 1021-1021 dof the spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 can beoffset inward from the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024 such thatthe shelf panel 1024 can include a non-hydrophobic area disposed betweenat least a portion of the spill containment pattern 1021 and theperimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the side edge containment strips 1021a, 1021 b are disposed at substantially right angles relative to thefront and rear edge containment strips 1021 c, 1021 d. So configured,the spill containment pattern 1021 of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3and 4 forms a continuous, generally square, rectangular, and/orbox-shape completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing thenon-hydrophobic central portion 1025, which also has a generally square,rectangular, and/or box-shape.

As with other known refrigerator shelf assemblies, the shelf assembly1020 of the present disclosure may also include shelf brackets 1022 forsupporting the shelf assembly 1020 in a refrigerator or other appliance,for example. In a preferred embodiment, the shelf brackets 1022 aredesigned and configured such as to not interfere with and/or intrudeupon the top surface 1032 of the shelf panel 1024, thereby maximizingthe useable shelf space. Various embodiments of such shelf brackets 1022will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7-18.

FIG. 3 also illustrates the concept that the hydrophobic surface 1030will form a spill containment barrier. For example, a soda can 1026 isillustrated as being turned on its side on the top surface 1023 of theshelf panel 1024, and spilled liquid from the soda can 1026 isidentified as liquid 1028. In this manner, the spilled liquid 1028 isprevented from spilling downwardly onto other surfaces below the shelf,and the spilled liquid 1028 is contained to the non-hydrophobic centralportion 1025 defined on the top surface 1023 of the shelf 1024. Further,the spilled liquid 1028 is also prevented from seeping into cracks orcrevices in a manner where substantial bacteria, mold, and otherundesirable materials can form. In particular, and in accordance withthe preferred embodiments, it should be noted that components such as aplastic rim (or even a frame) may be completely unnecessary with the useof the hydrophobic surface 1030 to provide the spill containmentfeature. As such, the shelf assembly 1020 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4maximizes the available useful shelf space since it does not include aplastic rim, a frame, or any other physical barrier or dam extendingabove the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 for preventingliquids from spilling off of the shelf panel 1024.

In addition to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternativeembodiment of the shelf assembly 1020 of the present disclosure caninclude the hydrophobic surface 1030 disposed on the top surface 1023 ofthe shelf panel 1024 in a grid-like spill containment pattern 1021, asshown in FIG. 5. Identical to the spill containment pattern 1021described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the grid-like spillcontainment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG. 5 includes a continuousframe-like border disposed at or around the outer perimeter of the topsurface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. More specifically, the frame-likeborder of the spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG. 5 includesparallel left and right side edge containment strips 1021 a, 1021 b, andparallel front and rear edge containment strips 1021 c, 1021 d. Thesespill containment strips 1021 a-1021 d can be generally identical to thecorresponding spill containment strips 1021 a-1021 d described abovewith reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and, therefore, will not be described inany further detail.

In addition to the aforementioned spill containment strips 1021 a-1021d, the grid-like spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG. 5includes two spaced apart longitudinal spill containment strips 1021 e,1021 f and two spaced apart lateral spill containment strips 1021 g,1021 h. The longitudinal spill containment strips 1021 c, 1021 dintersect the lateral spill containment strips 1021 e, 1021 f atgenerally right angles. As depicted, the longitudinal spill containmentstrips 1021 e, 1021 f are parallel to each other, as well as parallel tothe left and right side spill containment strips 1021 a, 1021 b.Moreover, the lateral spill containment strips 1021 g, 1021 h areparallel to each other, as well as parallel to the front and rear spillcontainment strips 1021 c, 1021 d. Other configurations are intended tobe within the scope of the disclosure.

So configured, the grid-like spill containment pattern 1021 of theembodiment of the shelf assembly 1020 of FIG. 5 defines first throughninth non-hydrophobic central portions 1025 a-1025 i on the top surface1023 of the shelf panel 1024. Each of the non-hydrophobic centralportions 1025 a-1025 i is completely bounded, encircled, and/or enclosedby four of the spill containment strips 1021 a-1021 h and is thereforesquare, rectangular, and/or box-shaped. With this configuration, FIG. 6illustrates that each of the non-hydrophobic central portions 1025a-1025 i is capable of containing a liquid 1028 separate from the othernon-hydrophobic central portions 1025 a-1025 i.

FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of a shelf assembly 1020 constructedin accordance with the present disclosure and including a spillcontainment pattern 1021. Similar to the shelf assemblies 1020 describedabove with reference to FIGS. 3-5, the shelf assembly 1020 of FIG. 6includes a continuous frame-like border of a hydrophobic surface 1030disposed at or around the outer perimeter of the top surface 1023 of theshelf panel 1024, thereby completely bounding, encircling, and/orenclosing a non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 of the shelf panel1024. However, unlike the embodiments described above, the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 6 includes a double-border configuration consisting ofa first continuous hydrophobic surface border 1017 and a secondcontinuous hydrophobic surface border 1019 disposed inside of the firsthydrophobic surface border 1017.

The first hydrophobic surface border 1017 is disposed about theperimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024, and the second hydrophobicsurface border 1019 is offset inwardly from the first hydrophobicsurface border 1017. The first hydrophobic surface border 1017 includesparallel left and right side edge containment strips 1017 a, 1017 b, andparallel front and rear edge containment strips 1017 c, 1017 d. Each ofthe edge containment strips 1017 a-1017 d of the first continuoushydrophobic surface border 1017 are generally uniform in width andarranged in an elongated linear configuration directly at the edge ofthe perimeter of the shelf panel 1024. The side edge containment strips1017 a, 1017 b are disposed at right angles relative to the front andrear edge containment strips 1017 c, 1017 d. So configured, the firsthydrophobic surface border 1017 forms a continuous generally square,rectangular, and/or box-shape completely bounding, encircling, and/orenclosing the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025, which is alsogenerally square, rectangular, and/or box-shaped. Moreover, as depicted,the second continuous hydrophobic surface border 1019 includes parallelleft and right side edge containment strips 1019 a, 1019 b, and parallelfront and rear edge containment strips 1019 c, 1019 d. Each of the edgecontainment strips 1019 a-1019 d of the second hydrophobic surfaceborder 1019 are generally uniform in width and arranged in an elongatedlinear configuration offset inwardly from the first hydrophobic surfaceborder 1017. The side edge containment strips 1019 a, 1019 b aredisposed at right angles relative to the front and rear edge containmentstrips 1019 c, 1019 d such that the second hydrophobic surface border1019 forms a generally square, rectangular, and/or box-shape completelybounding, encircling, and/or enclosing the non-hydrophobic centralportion 1025 of the shelf panel 1024. So configured, the first andsecond hydrophobic surface borders 1017, 1019 define a non-hydrophobicring portion 1027 located between the two borders 1017, 1019. Thenon-hydrophobic ring portion 1027 can advantageously capture any spilloverflow which might escape from the non-hydrophobic central portion1025 and travel over the second hydrophobic surface border 1019. Theseand other variations in the spill containment pattern 1021 can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of thepreferred embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, while FIG.6 depicts a double-border pattern, a pattern of any number concentric ornon-concentric border patterns could be provided on the substratesurface. Each border pattern can, for example, surround at least aportion of the non-hydrophobic region.

The hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern inaccordance with the preferred embodiments described herein eliminatesthe need for plastic encapsulation material to create a spillcontainment barrier. Accordingly, the shelves produced in accordancewith the preferred embodiments described herein utilize relatively lessmaterial than prior art spill-containing shelves. Further, the shelvesdescribed herein have no need for silicone sealants to create a spillcontainment barrier. With the exception of the hydrophobic tapeembodiment, they have no need for adhesives to create a spillcontainment barrier. Elimination of the need for these materials alsoresults in relatively less use of material. Further, using thehydrophobic surfaces arranged in a spill containment pattern inaccordance with the preferred embodiments eliminates the need for formedlips or ridges on the shelf's top surface, which reduces the amount ofmaterial used and the complexity of manufacturing, and, therefore,reduces the manufacturing cost.

Elimination of plastic encapsulation and sealants from the design of theshelf member also eliminates a potential source of failure or leakagesince the sealants and plastic encapsulation may have cracks or creviceswhere they join with the shelf member in which organic or inorganicmaterials may become entrapped and involve a bond area to the shelfmember which may eventually leak. Still further, the use of hydrophobicsurfaces arranged in a spill containment pattern retains an amount ofliquid comparable to that retained by prior art shelves having spillcontaining dam features, without the necessity of using the dams.

Still further, by eliminating the space taken up by plasticencapsulation, sealants, adhesives, or formed lips, ridges, physicalbarriers, and dams, the relative amount of usable shelf space isincreased, i.e., maximized, on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel1024 in accordance with the preferred embodiments described herein.

A further aspect of the present disclosure that serves to maximize theusable shelf space includes shelf brackets 1022 that are specificallydesigned, arranged, and configured to adhere to a bottom surface and/orside edge of the shelf panel 1024, thereby avoiding any necessity tointerfere with and/or obstruct at least the perimeter portions of thetop surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 adjacent to the side edges and,in some embodiments, the entirety of the top surface 1023 of the shelfpanel 1024.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of supportbrackets 100, only one of which is depicted, constructed in accordancewith a first embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to theembodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flatshelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface 1030 arranged and configuredin a spill containment pattern 1021 on its top surface 1023. The spillcontainment pattern 1021 can resemble any of the patterns describedabove with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.

The brackets 100 are mirror images of each other and are adhered to sideperimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 10. The brackets 100 of theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 are adapted to be slidablysupported on ribs formed in the side panels of an appliance such as arefrigerator. As shown in FIG. 8 above, each bracket 100 includes ahorizontal leg 104 and a vertical leg 102 extending downward from aninner edge 105 of the horizontal leg 104. As such, the brackets 100 havea generally upside-down L-shaped cross-section. The brackets 100 of thisembodiment are preferably constructed of metal, but could be constructedof plastic or any other foreseeable material. The vertical andhorizontal legs 102, 104 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90°relative to each other. So configured, the horizontal leg 104 includes asubstantially horizontal top surface 104 a that corresponds to andsupports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12 a of a correspondingside perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 10. Finally, a layer of anadhesive material 106 is disposed between the top surfaces 104 a of thehorizontal legs 104 of the brackets 100 and the bottom surface 12 a ofthe side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 10 to adhere the shelfpanel 10 to the brackets 100. The adhesive material 106 can include aclear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or anyother adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the presentdisclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, noaspect of the brackets 100 extends above and/or over the top surface1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets100 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface1023. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of supportbrackets 200, only one of which is depicted, constructed in accordancewith a second embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to theembodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flatshelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged andconfigured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface1023. The spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patternsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.

The brackets 200 are mirror images of each other and are adhered toopposing side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024. Thebrackets 200 are adapted to be slidably supported on ribs formed in theside panels of an appliance such as a refrigerator. As shown in FIG. 10,each bracket 200 includes a horizontal leg 204 and a vertical leg 202extending upward from an outer edge 205 of the horizontal leg 204. Assuch, the brackets 200 have a generally L-shaped cross-section. Thevertical leg 202 may or may not extend beyond the top surface 1023 ofthe shelf panel 1024. The brackets 200 of this embodiment can beconstructed of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. Thevertical and horizontal legs 202, 204 are disposed at an angle ofapproximately 90° relative to each other. So configured, the horizontalleg 204 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 204 a thatcorresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12 aof a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024.Finally, a layer of an adhesive material 206 is disposed between the topsurfaces 204 a of the horizontal legs 204 of the brackets 200 and thebottom surface 12 a of the corresponding side perimeter portions 12 ofthe shelf panel 1024 to adhere the shelf panel 1024 to the brackets 200.The adhesive material 206 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive,a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable ofserving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and asillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, no aspect of the brackets 200 extendsabove and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is,in this embodiment, the brackets 200 are disposed entirely below the topsurface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. The horizontal legs 204 aredisposed entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface1023, and the vertical legs 202 are disposed entirely to the side of theshelf panel 1024. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 ismaximized.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of supportbrackets 300 constructed in accordance with a third embodiment thepresent disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, theshelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobicsurface 130 arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern 1021on its top surface 1023. The spill containment pattern can resemble anyof the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.

The brackets 300 are adapted to latch into ladder racks, for example, atthe rear of an appliance such as a refrigerator in a conventionalmanner. Each bracket 300 includes an elongated top member 302 with agenerally circular cross-section. In one form, depicted in FIG. 12, thetop member 302 includes a horizontal supporting surface 304 formed, forexample, by forging, stamping, or crushing the round wire in a fixture.So configured, the supporting surface 304 corresponds to and supports agenerally horizontal bottom surface 12 a of a corresponding sideperimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024. In another form, theelongated top member 302 may not include the horizontal supportingsurface 304, but rather, can have a perfectly circular cross-sectionproviding a line of contact between the top member 302 and the shelfpanel 1024. Finally, a layer of an adhesive material 306 is disposedbetween the top members 302 of the brackets 300 and the bottom surface12 a of the corresponding side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel1024 to fix the shelf panel 10 to the brackets 300. The adhesivematerial 306 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clearpolyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of servingthe principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and asillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, no aspect of the brackets 300 extendsabove and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is,in this embodiment, the brackets 300 are disposed entirely below the topsurface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelfpanel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on thetop surface 1023 is maximized.

FIGS. 13 and 14 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of supportbrackets 400, only one of which is shown, constructed in accordance witha fourth embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodimentsdescribed above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged and configured in aspill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023. The spillcontainment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described abovewith respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.

The brackets 400 are mirror images of each other. The brackets 400 areadapted to latch into ladder racks, for example, at the rear of anappliance such as a refrigerator in a conventional manner. Asillustrated, each bracket 400 includes a tri-angular shaped plate avertical plate portion 402 and a horizontal plate portion 404, therebyhaving a generally L-shaped upper cross-section. The brackets 400 ofthis embodiment can be constructed of metal, plastic, or any othersuitable material. The vertical and horizontal plate portions 402, 404are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other. Soconfigured, the horizontal plate portion 404 includes a substantiallyhorizontal top surface 404 a that corresponds to and supports agenerally horizontal bottom surface 12 a of a corresponding sideperimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024. Finally, a layer of anadhesive material 406 is disposed between the top surfaces 404 a of thehorizontal plate portions 404 of the brackets 400 and the bottom surface12 a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 to fixthe shelf panel 1024 to the brackets 400. The adhesive material 406 caninclude a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hotmelt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principlesof the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 13and 14, no aspect of the brackets 400 extends above and/or over the topsurface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, thebrackets 400 are disposed entirely below the shelf panel 1024, e.g.,entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023. Assuch, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.

FIGS. 15-17 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of supportbrackets 500 constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment thepresent disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, theshelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobicsurface (not shown) arranged and configured in a spill containmentpattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023. The spill containmentpattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect toFIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.

The brackets 500 are mirror images of each other. The brackets 500 areadapted to latch into ladder racks, for example, at the rear of anappliance such as a refrigerator in a conventional manner. Asillustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, each bracket 500 includes a metaltri-angular shaped plate portion 502 and a plastic supporting rail 504.The supporting rail 504 includes an elongated recess 504 a receiving anelongated top edge 502 a of the plate portion 502. The supporting rail504 is immovably fixed to the plate portion 502 by snap-fit or adhesion,for example. Additionally, the supporting rail 504 includes asubstantially horizontal top surface 504 b that corresponds to andsupports a corresponding generally horizontal bottom surface 12 a of theshelf panel 1024. Finally, the bottom surfaces 12 a of the sideperimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 are adhered to the topsurfaces 504 b of the supporting rails 504 with an adhesive material(not shown) to fix the shelf panel 10 to the brackets 500. The adhesivematerial can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clearpolyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of servingthe principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and asillustrated in FIGS. 15-17, no aspect of the brackets 500 extends aboveand/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, inthis embodiment, the brackets 500 are disposed entirely below the topsurface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelfpanel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on thetop surface 1023 is maximized.

FIG. 18 depicts a portion of a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair ofsupport brackets 600, only one of which is shown, constructed inaccordance with a sixth embodiment the present disclosure. Similar tothe embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flatshelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged andconfigured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface1023. The spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patternsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.

As shown, the support brackets 600 are adapted to support opposing sideperimeter portions 12 of a flat shelf panel 1024 in a manner generallythe same as those described above. Each bracket 600 includes a verticalplate portion 602 and a horizontal plate portion 604, thereby having agenerally upside-down L-shaped cross-section. The vertical andhorizontal plate portions 602, 604 are disposed at an angle ofapproximately 90° relative to each other. Additionally, however, thehorizontal plate portion 604 includes a curved concave profile definingan elongated channel 608 in its topside and extending along the lengththereof. Finally, a layer of an adhesive material (not shown) isdisposed in the channel 608 between the bracket 600 and a bottom surface12 a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024. Whilethe channel 608 of the embodiment depicted above is formed by thehorizontal plate portion 604 being curved, the channel 608 couldalternatively be formed simply by having a recess in the top surface ofthe horizontal plate portion 604. So configured, the bottom surface ofthe horizontal plate portion 604 does not necessarily have to be curved,as illustrated.

This channel concept for receiving adhesive could be applied to any ofthe support brackets described above with reference to FIGS. 7-17. Forexample, the horizontal legs 104, 204, 404 of the brackets 100, 200, 400depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIGS. 9 and 10, and FIGS. 13 and 14,respectively, could include channels disposed in the top surfaces 104 a,204 a, 304 a thereof for receiving adhesive. Similarly, the top members302 of the brackets 300 depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12 could includechannels disposed in top surfaces thereof for receiving adhesive. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, the channels could be formeddirectly into the horizontal supporting surfaces 304 of the top members302 of the brackets 300. Finally, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS.15-17 channels for receiving adhesive could be formed in the horizontaltop surfaces 504 b of the supporting rails 504 of the brackets 500.Therefore, it should be appreciated that the concept of providingchannels in the top surfaces of the support brackets for receivingadhesive is not limited to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 18, butrather, can be applied to any of the embodiments expressly describedherein, as well as any embodiment covered by the scope of the attachedclaims.

As mentioned above, any of the foregoing shelf brackets 100-600 can beconstructed of any one or more of a variety of materials such as metal,plastic, etc. and they may be attached to the shelf panel 1024 using anyone or more of a variety of different adhesives, or other attachmentmeans. The process and/or method for assembling these components canalso include a variety of variations.

For example, in one embodiment the brackets described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, for example, could be constructed of a sheet metal withan epoxy polyester hybrid powder disposed on them. The brackets areplaced into a fixture and the adhesive, which can include Loctite 3494acrylic UV/Visible light-cured adhesive, is applied to the top surfaceof the brackets automatically. The glass shelf panel is then placed intothe fixture on top of the adhesive and a clamping pressure is applied tothe top of the glass shelf panel. The adhesive “wets out,” i.e., theadhesive spreads out to a thickness of about 0.006″ to about 0.010″thick. The parts are then passed under a mercury UV lamp (wavelength ofabout 365 nm, at about 200-400 watts per inch) for about 12-18 seconds,with the adhesive being disposed about 5.5″ to about 6″ away from thelamp. Once the adhesive is cured, the clamping pressure is removed andthe assembly can be removed from the fixture.

In an alternative to this method, a hot-melt polyurethane adhesive canbe used to secure the shelf panel to the brackets. First, the bracketsare placed into a fixture, and a melted polyurethane adhesive is appliedinstead of the UV cured adhesive described above. The part is againclamped as the adhesive quick-sets. No lights are needed. The assemblycan then be removed from the fixture.

In yet another alternative method, an adhesive tape, such as 3M VHBtape, can be used instead of a liquid adhesive. This tape would beplaced onto either the underside of the glass shelf panel or on the topsurface of the support brackets. Protective paper would then be removedfrom the tape, and the glass shelf panel and the support brackets can bejoined together in a fixture, similar to that described above. A smallamount of pressure is applied to the glass shelf panel to set the tape,and then the assembly can be removed from the fixture.

While the foregoing embodiments of the shelf assembly 1020 have beendescribed as including shelf panels 1024 with top surfaces 1023 that arecompletely free from intrusion or other obstruction, thereby maximizingthe available shelf space, alternative embodiments of the shelf assembly1020 can include rear and/or front trim components. Such rear and/orfront trim components are minimally invasive, but can perform functionsthat may be desirable in certain applications.

For example, as mentioned above, the shelf assemblies 1020 describedwith reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, and FIGS. 9 and 10, include supportbrackets 100, 200, respectively, that are adapted to be slidablysupported on ribs formed in the side panels of an appliance such as arefrigerator. Such slidable shelf assemblies 1020 can benefit from theincorporation of rear and front trim components.

For example, FIGS. 19-22 illustrate one embodiment of such a slidableshelf assembly 1020 including, for the sake of illustration only, thesupport brackets 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.The shelf assembly 1020 of FIGS. 19-22 could equally include the supportbrackets 200 described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The shelfassembly 1020 includes a completely flat glass shelf panel 1024, a pairof opposing support brackets 100, a front trim component 14, and a reartrim component 16. The support brackets 100 are adhered to the bottom ofthe side edges of the shelf panel 1024 for slidably supporting the shelfpanel 1024 within a refrigerator in a manner identical to that describedwith reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The front trim component 14 includes an elongated plastic member with alength substantially identical to the width of the shelf panel 1024. Asshown in more detail in FIG. 21 the front trim component 14 includes agenerally U-shaped attachment portion 18 and a lip portion 20 extendingoutward from the attachment portion 18. The attachment portion 18defines an elongated channel 22 with a plurality of barbed ribs 24formed on both the upper and lower legs 18 a, 18 b of the attachmentportion 18 and extending into the channel 22. The channel 22 receivesthe front edge of the shelf panel 1024 such that the barbed ribs 24frictionally engage the panel 1024 and fix the front trim component 14thereto. So configured, the front trim component 14 and, moreparticularly, the lip portion 20 of the front trim component 18 servesas a “bumper,” for example, to prevent bottles or other glass objectsthat are being loaded into the refrigerator from impacting the bareglass edge of the shelf panel 1024 and breaking the same.

Referring now to FIG. 22, the rear trim component 16 of the shelfassembly 1020 is illustrated as being substantially identical to thefront trim component 14, but without the lip portion extending outward.Instead, the rear trim component 16 merely includes a generally U-shapedattachment portion 26 having upper and lower legs 26 a, 26 b. Theattachment portion 26 defines an elongated channel 28 with a pluralityof barbed ribs 30 formed only on the upper leg 26 a of the attachmentportion 26. The channel 28 receives the rear edge of the shelf panel1024 such that the barbed ribs 30 frictionally engage the shelf panel1024 and fix the rear trim component 16 thereto. So configured, the reartrim component 16 serves as a “stopper” to prevent items stored on theback portion of the shelf panel 1024 from sliding off of the shelf panel1024 in the event that a user abruptly slides the shelf assembly 1020out of the refrigerator.

While FIG. 21 depicts a front trim component 14 that is U-shaped andreceives the front edge of the shelf panel 1024, other configurationsare intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative front trim component 32. Thetrim component 32 extends generally the length of and is fixed to thefront edge of the shelf panel 1024 with a layer of adhesive 34. Thefront trim component 32 includes a generally L-shaped cross-section andincludes a horizontal leg 36 and a vertical leg 38 disposed at an angleof approximately 90° relative to the horizontal leg 36. The front trimcomponent 32 is preferably constructed of a plastic material such thatthe vertical leg 38 thereof can absorb the impact of glass bottles beingloaded into the refrigerator, for example, and prevent breakage. Whilethe trim component 32 in FIG. 23 is described as being constructed ofplastic, other materials are intended to be within the scope of thepresent disclosure. One advantage of the trim component 32 depicted inFIG. 23 is that it does not interfere with, encroach upon, or otherwiseobstruct the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. As such, theavailable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized while alsoproviding the “bumper” function.

The following examples are merely intended to illustrate the shelfassemblies of the present disclosure, and are not meant to limit thescope thereof in any way.

EXAMPLES Examples 1-29 Water Retention Testing

The shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of variousembodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine thatamount of water that could be retained on the shelf without failure(i.e. leakage). To accommodate for variations in the area of theshelves, which would affect the volume of liquid retained, the amount ofretained water was measured as the height of the water retained in thenon-hydrophobic region. Testing was completed by first leveling theshelf using a leveling apparatus. The shelf can be placed over a tray tocatch any leakage from the shelf. The test water had a temperature in arange of 32° F. to 50° F. Water was poured slowly so as not to cause“waves” or splashes” onto the geometric center of the non-hydrophobicregion. For example, water can be poured onto the shelf using a smallfunnel. A screw can be inserted into the funnel to baffle the flow, ifneeded. Water can be introduced into the funnel in about 5 mm or about10 mm increments. Water volume was measured prior to pouring onto theshelf, using, for example, graduated cylinders. Water was poured ontothe shelf at a distance of about 1 mm to about 2 mm above the shelf. Theshelf was continually filled with water until overflow just began tooccur. The height of the water retained on the shelf was then determinedby dividing the volume of water poured onto the shelf just prior tooverflow by the area of the non-hydrophobic region.

Shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed using theFerro frit, and a 1% solution of tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyltrichlorosilane in hexane applied to the frit, were tested in accordancewith the above described method. The silane was cured on the frit at atemperature of about 200° F. for about 15 minutes. The spill containmentpattern was formed as a border around the perimeter of the glass shelf,at or near the edge of the shelf. The shelves were tested at varyingtemperatures and humidity conditions. The average water height retentionwas about 4.43 mm.

Examples No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ambient 78 78 78 78 79 79 79 79 Temperature(° F.) Ambient 55 55 55 55 56 56 56 56 Humidity (%) Area of the 1639.61639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 Nonhydrophobic Region(cm²) Height of 4.57 4.45 4.27 4.45 4.39 4.39 4.33 4.33 Retained Water(mm) Examples No. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ambient 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81Temperature (° F.) Ambient 55 55 55 55 56 56 56 56 Humidity (%) Area ofthe 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6 1639.6Nonhydrophobic Region (cm²) Height of 4.39 4.51 4.39 4.57 4.45 4.51 4.514.39 Retained Water (mm)

Shelves prepared with a hydrophobic spill containment pattern using anacid etch surface treatment and tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyltrichlorosilane as the hydrophobic solution were also tested for waterheight retention. Acid etching was performed using Armour Etch® GlassEtching Cream. Shelves were prepared by etching for about 3 minutes toabout 6 minutes. Example 25 was etched twice using an etching time offrom 3 to 6 minutes for each etching process. Specifically, a firstetching procedure was performed by applying the etching solution to thesubstrate, allowing it to remain on the substrate for about 3 minutes toabout 6 minutes, and washing the etching solution from the surface ofthe substrate. A second etching procedure was then performed by againapplying the etching solution, allowing it to remain on the substratefor about 3 minutes to about 6 minutes, and washing the etching solutionfrom the surface. The fluorosilane was applied and the shelf was bakedfor about 20 minutes at 200° F.

The shelves were first tested for water height retention shortly afterhaving the hydrophobic spill containment pattern was formed and cooled.The shelves were then retested sometime after the first test. As shownin the data below, in general, the water height retention properties ofthe shelves improved after the first testing. Without intending to bebound by theory, it is believed that when the spill containment patternis first contact with water after formation, additionally silicon oxidegroups remaining on the surface of silane and/or the surface-modifiedsubstrate by hydrolyzed by the water, thereby creating additionalbonding sites between the silane and the surface-modified substrate andimproving the hydrophobic nature of the spill containment pattern. Theaverage water height of the acid etch samples was about 5.18 mm. Theaverage water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched forabout 3 minutes was about 5.18 mm. The average water height of the acidetched shelves, which were etched for about 4 minutes was about 5.19 mm.The average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etchedfor about 5 minutes was about 5.18 mm. The average water height of theacid etched shelves, which were etched for about 6 minutes was about5.19 mm.

Examples No. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Etch time (min) 3 3 4 6 3 5 3 4Area of the 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6Nonhydrophobic Region (cm²) Height of 5.14 5.09 4.99 5.09 4.86 5.09 5.095.09 Retained Water (mm) Retested height 5.60 5.04 5.34 5.39 5.29 5.395.34 5.34 of retained water (mm) Average 5.37 5.06 5.17 5.24 5.08 5.245.22 5.22 Examples No. 25 26 27 28 29 Etch time 2 etching 6 5 6 5procedures performed Area of the 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6Nonhydrophobic Region (cm²) Height of 5.09 5.09 5.09 5.09 5.14 RetainedWater (mm) Retested height — 5.14 5.09 5.34 5.29 of retained water (mm)Average — 5.11 5.09 5.22 5.22

Example 30 Abrasion Resistance

The shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of variousembodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine theability of the shelf to retain a spill (simulated by water) followingrepeated abrasion of the hydrophobic treatment. The amount of waterretained by the shelf before failure was measured before any abrasionswere applied using the method described above and the height of theretained water was calculated. Next, a one quart glass jar was used tomake abrasions by placing it on the hydrophobic region and sliding thejar horizontally along the surface of the shelf until the jar has passedover the entire hydrophobic region. The jar was then slide back to itsoriginal position, passing over the hydrophobic surface once more. Theforward and backward motion of the jar is defined as one jar abrasioncycle. About fifty jar abrasion cycles were performed. The water heightretention test was repeated after each fifty abrasion cycles. As shownin FIG. 24, a shelf having a hydrophobic spill containment patternformed from a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound did not loseeffectiveness for retaining water in the non-hydrophobic region of theshelf after 300 abrasion cycles. Shelves having a hydrophobic spillcontainment pattern formed by acid etching the substrate and applyingthe hydrophobic compound to the acid etched region showed some loss ofeffectiveness after 300 abrasion cycles.

Example 31 Resistance to Cleaning

The shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of variousembodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine theability of the shelf to retain a spill (water) following repeatedcleaning cycles. First the shelves were tested prior to any cleaningtreatment to determine a baseline water retention level. Water retentionheight was tested in accordance with the method described above. Next,five cleaning cycles for each of four cleaning methods were performed onthe glass shelf. A cleaning cycle is defined as five forward andbackward motions of the cleaning product/applicator perpendicular to thehydrophobic treatment with a consistent 2 kg load. Four differentcleaning methods were performed along portions of the hydrophobic spillcontainment pattern, including, Windex wiped with a paper towel, Dawndish soap wiped with a cotton dish cloth, Formula 409 cleaner wiped witha sponge, and Clorox wipes. Each cleaning method was performed on aseparate portion of the spill containment pattern. The water heightretention test was repeated after each five cleaning cycles.

The Windex/paper towel cleaning method was prepared by saturating a 5inch square of paper towel with Windex Original formula so that thepaper towel was completely wet, but not dripping. The Dawn dishsoap/cotton dish cloth method was performed using a solution containing2 ml of Dawn dish soap in one liter of room temperature water. Thecotton dish cloth was then dipped in the solution and applied to theshelf. The Formula 409/sponge method was performed by cutting a spongeinto an approximately 1 inch by 1 inch square and saturating the spongewith Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner. The Clorox wipe method wasperformed using a Clorox Wipe folded into a 1 inch by 1 inch square. Allmethods were performed using a 2 kg mass applied to the applicator.

As shown in FIG. 25, a shelf having a hydrophobic pattern formed from aceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound did not lose effectiveness after30 cleaning cycles. Shelves having a hydrophobic spill containmentpattern formed by acid etching the glass substrate and applying ahydrophobic compound to the etched portion minimally lost effectivenessafter 30 cleaning cycles.

Example 32 Stain Resistance

Stain resistance of a shelf having a hydrophobic spill containmentpattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure wastested against a variety of staining agents, including, spaghetti sauce,canned beets, grape juice, yellow mustard, butter, Italian dressing,cherry Kool-Aid, and Soy sauce. Each staining agent was applied toapproximately one inch areas of the shelf, including a portion of thehydrophobic spill containment pattern and the non-hydrophobic region,and then allowed to stand for approximately 72 hours. The majority ofthe dried material was then wiped from the shelf with a paper towel andclean wash cloth containing a mixture of water and Dawn dish soap wasused to remove any remnants of the material. As shown in FIGS. 26A and26B, a shelf having a hydrophobic still containment pattern formed froma ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure was stain resistant to all stainingagents.

As earlier described, the hydrophobic surface arranged in a spillcontainment pattern in accordance with the preferred embodimentsprovides a spill containment feature which prevents spilled liquids fromleaking off of the top surface of the shelf, and shelves in accordancewith the preferred embodiments can be used in various applications, suchas refrigerator shelves.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that otherembodiments of shelving members in accordance with the invention may bedesigned. That is, the principles of shelving members in accordance withthe disclosure are not limited to the specific embodiments describedherein. For example, shelf members or other support surfaces having ahydrophobic spill containment surfaces could be used in varioussettings, such as shelving in other settings, tables, countertops or thelike, and are not limited to use as refrigerator shelves.

Further, it will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent art thatany method which may be used for creating a hydrophobic surface arrangedin a spill containment pattern in substantially the same plane as thetop surface of the shelf member is within the scope of the disclosuredescribed herein, even if such method requires the use of multiplepieces to manufacture the shelf member. For example, a frame ofhydrophobic material may be bonded to the shelf member such that itforms a continuous border which is generally in the same plane as thetop surface of the shelf. Accordingly, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that modifications and other variations of theabove-described illustrative embodiments of the disclosure may beeffected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novelconcepts of the invention.

1. A shelf assembly comprising: a shelf panel having a generally flattop surface which is capable of supporting articles which may be placedon said shelf panel; a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spillcontainment pattern on said top surface; wherein the majority of thesurface area of said top surface of the shelf panel is not hydrophobic,thereby providing one or more non-hydrophobic central portions boundedby said spill containment pattern of said hydrophobic surface.
 2. Theshelf assembly of claim 1, wherein said spill containment pattern is acontinuous border which defines a single non-hydrophobic central portionwithin said border.
 3. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein said spillcontainment pattern is a continuous border located near the perimeter ofthe top surface of the shelf panel.
 4. The shelf assembly of claim 1,wherein said spill containment pattern is located along the perimeter ofthe top surface of the shelf panel.
 5. The shelf assembly of claim 1,wherein said spill containment pattern comprises a first continuousborder and a second continuous border spaced from said first continuousborder, the first continuous border located along the perimeter of thetop surface of the shelf panel, and the second continuous border spacedinwardly from said first continuous border such that the secondcontinuous border completely bounds a non-hydrophobic central portion ofthe top surface of the shelf panel, and the first and second continuousborders together define between them a non-hydrophobic ring portion forcontaining overflow from said non-hydrophobic central portion.
 6. Theshelf assembly of claim 1, wherein said spill containment pattern is inthe form of a grid pattern on the top surface of the shelf panel andwherein said grid pattern defines a plurality of non- hydrophobiccentral portions on the top surface of the shelf panel, each of theplurality of non-hydrophobic central portions completely bounded by thegrid pattern.
 7. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein said shelf panelis comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting of glass,plastic, metal and combinations thereof.
 8. The shelf assembly of claim1, wherein the shelf panel is transparent.
 9. The shelf assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the shelf panel is glass.
 10. The shelf assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the hydrophobic surface is transparent.
 11. The shelfassembly of claim 1, wherein at least some portion of the hydrophobicsurface is colored.
 12. The shelf assembly of claim 11, wherein thehydrophobic surface contains a colored portion in a form chosen from thegroup consisting of a pattern, a company name, a company logo andcombinations thereof.
 13. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein thehydrophobic surface comprises: a ceramic frit layer adjacent to andbonded to the top surface of said shelf panel; and a hydrophobiccompound coated over the ceramic frit layer.
 14. The shelf assembly ofclaim 13, wherein said ceramic frit layer contains additive particlesthat create roughness in a top surface of the ceramic frit layer. 15.The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of saidceramic frit layer is colored.
 16. The shelf assembly of claim 1,wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic coating over aroughened area in the surface of said shelf panel.
 17. The shelfassembly of claim 16, wherein said roughened area is made by etching thesurface with acid.
 18. The shelf assembly of claim 16, wherein saidroughened area comprises a plurality of particles bound to the surfaceof the shelf panel.
 19. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein saidhydrophobic surface comprises a coating of hydrophobic particles on thesurface of said shelf panel.
 20. The shelf assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound applied overor within the matrix of a cured sol gel composition. 21.-93. (canceled)